Well, it's something that has been going on for quite some time and I just filed my complaint with the Better Business Bureau. Why the BBB? Because I was instructed to do so from American Honda.

Let me begin. . .

After only a week of owning our new Accord, a slight vibration could be felt and a noise of plastic tapping metal and/or plastic could be heard. When you shifted into Reverse, it would sometimes start, then go away. We take it in and have the very first service order reported on our new '03 Accord.

They are unable to reproduce the noise and/or vibration. So, I take the service writer on a drive. When we return, the service writer has the service manager and a tech drive with me. Sure enough, I can duplicate the noise. They search and search. They tighten bolts, the battery, check the undercarriage. Nothing. Still, the vibration and noise exists.

So, we schedule a visit with the District Parts and Service Manager with American Honda. He visits and agrees that Anna's Accord has an issue. He calls Tech Line and various sources. His recommendation is that I file a claim with American Honda's Customer Relations. So, I do.

Now. . .here we are, 9 months after taking delivery of the Accord and we now have the noise ALL THE TIME in reverse. Anytime you are coming to a stop or decelerating. Also, we now have a wobble-wobble noise and the steering wheel has vibration at any speed over 50mph and harsh vibration on braking.

Nearly every week, I call our rep at American Honda to find out what resolution Honda has for us. Nothing, they want us to wait on a fix. All I want is one of two things:

1) Fix the car to drive and sound like any other '03 or '04 Accord

2) Replace the car with a new model

We don't want a different color or model line. We want the same car. Repaired or replaced. They refuse to consider replacing the Accord and continue with "Honda is trying to find a fix." Let's be real here, it's been 9 months since we took delivery. Being fair, American Honda has known about it for 7+ months. Considering that only the dealer first heard of the issue after delivery. So, how long does a customer have to live with this?

I related a story to the Customer Realtions rep handling our claim. If a customer walked in with a Nokia phone that had a slight BUZZ in the background during every call, what should I tell them.

1) Mr. Customer, Nokia is aware of the issue and they are looking for a fix
2) Mr. Customer, wait alittle longer, Nokia is still working on a fix, we relaize it's inconvenient to have that BUZZ noise in the bakground, but afterall, you can still make calls

Of course not. We would replace the phone and send the defective model back to Nokia. I think the rep understood where I was coming from on this. We don't want something for nothing, we simply want resolution to our problem. Fix the car now or simply replace it.

Oh, and here's a real kicker. They advise that if we want out of our Accord to simply trade it in. When I told the rep that the problem would not go away because of that, his reply was, "It won't be your problem anymore." Right, and who pays that $3k difference as a loss?

I've decided to start a thread so that I can share/vent my frustrations and keep everyone up-to-date on what's going on.

 

Thats a shame Airgate! My buddy has an 03 Accord and hes had a few issues with his as well. They were able to be fixed though. I hope this whole ordeal doesn't go changing the way you feel about Honda though. Good luck finding a fix.

-Josh

 

Damn Raul, sorry to hear about the misfortunes. What a bunch of A-Holes over there. As dedicated as you are to purchasing Hondas, you would think they would treat you better.

Good luck in your battle. Hope it all works out.

 

Hmmm... Since the sound could only be reproduced when you drove the techs, etc., yourself...is there any chance the rattle is in your ass??? You *HAVE* lost quite a lot of weight...might just be excess skin rubbing


Sorry......serious now :ahem!: Raul, isn't the Lemon Law provided for the consumer/public for exactly this reason? [Oh, wait...that link goes directly to the BBB...so you already *are* now seeking protection under the Lemon Law ]

Damn shame this is still going on . I thought things were moving in the right direction ~ 1 month back (not that 8 months dragging for resolution would have been any to brag about ...). But now over nine months. That's just crazy!

- Dave

 

Um, excuse me Mr. W1ngflinger. Raul's ass does NOT squeek.



Its more like a squeel.

Raul, I think its time for you to have an attorney write a letter. In fact, if you'd like, I'll write the letter. I love getting into other people's mess and flinging it around. I think you could win big and get consiquential damages, whatever the heck that is.

Ya know?

 

Oh, and Dave, your sig is causing me to have seizures.

 

There is a reason I am driving and '03 S2K as a direct equal replacement for my POS '01 S2K.

I recommend you get all your records toegether and prepare a letter to AHM. Follow the instructions in your owners manual.

1. Honda will replace your car.
2. Honda will offer you buyer assistance.
3. Honda will determine the value of your car less the average usage (Prorated value) and cut you a check.
4. Court and all out war.

Good luck Raul.

 

Dave is right. The Lemon law says if you take the car to the dealership three times and they cannot fix it you can ask for it to be replaced.

Although, I think it says somewhere that they have to actually try to fix it. Which I think they did in your case.


As for the vibration I'd say your problem is bent rotors. It is not unheard of to have a new car with this problem. Just tell them that since they have tried all the solutions they should humor you and replace the rotors AND pads and have the car aligned again.

The rotors are probably around $80 a piece and the pads $150 for a set of 4. That plus the labor would not be more than $700. I am sure you can put an argument that for $700 they will get you out of their hair and save themselves the $3k in depreciation of this car they are going to have to replace.

 

Speaking from experience (unfortunately,) you should write a long and detailed letter outlining this episode and send it to the dealership owner AND the general manager AND the service department manager, as well as the BBB and Attorney General's office. Just because Honda customer relations is involved doesn't necessarily mean that the dealership higher-ups are in the loop.

Chris

 

Everyone is right... my boss at work has fought with Toyota over his Solara... the check engine light continued to come on after the gas tank dropped below 1/4. He had to file a complaint with a thrid party arbitrator. It took him 1 yr, many phone calls and at least 2 months of shop time before Toyata caved and gave him his $ back. You can win this since the issues you describe would impact the re-sale value but it may be a long, painful process...